I am an MS4 who just recently decided I wanted to pursue a career in ortho. I simply was not exposed to the field until by chance I had a hand rotation this winter and fell in love with the field.

I will be going to serve a transitional year + a 2 year active duty tour with the Navy as a General Medical Officer after graduation. I plan on getting to know the ortho dept at my hospital and trying to participate in research during my active duty tour.

Assuming I am able to get the right letters, will my military experience help make up for my non traditional application timeline of deciding very late in med school? Step I = 232, Step II = 235

How much of an uphill battle am I facing at this point?

Thanks so much.